Speaking to Latics PlayerHD at Christopher Park in the build up to Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Southend United at Roots Hall Stadium, Gary Caldwell took time to reflect on Tuesday’s defeat to Burton Albion at the DW Stadium, as well as assessing his side’s chances against the Shrimpers.

GARY ON REACTION TO BURTON DEFEAT

“It’s all about how we bounce back from the disappointment of Tuesday night. We need everybody reacting in a positive way, looking over the reasons where and why it went wrong, and putting ourselves in a position to go on another run like the one we’ve just been on.

“The manner of the defeat was tough to take. We’ve realised that every team comes to the DW Stadium with a game plan and a set way of playing differently to how they’ve played in previous games.

“Burton were no different to that, they came to apply pressure high up the pitch with their front four and the back six just sat in and defended when we got past that pressure.

“It’s a lesson we have to learn, we have to be better when we play against teams who set up in that fashion, and I know we’ll improve from it.

“We had set backs early on in the season that the players have taken on the chin and improved from, and I’ve no reason to see why we can’t improve from this and be stronger for it.”

GARY ON SOUTHEND CHALLENGE

“Southend are three points behind us in the league now after their win on Tuesday, so there’s no doubt that it’s another big test for us.

“To score five goals away at Oldham takes some doing, it was a great result for them and they’ll be buoyant now because the win extended their unbeaten run to five games in the league.

“We know on our day we can beat anyone in this league though, we’ve got good players and we’re hungry to get back on a winning run very quickly.

“It’s very tight in the division at the moment, we’re only five points from the top of the league and that’s where we’re looking.

“We’re not looking at anyone behind us, we’re looking above us and we see opportunities going into the Christmas period. If we can go on a solid run of winning games then we know we’ll put ourselves into a very strong position.”

GARY ON POTENTIAL CHANGES

“Before the Burton game I had an idea of my team for Southend and I don’t think the game itself had too much of an effect on that.

“There are certain positions that I’m thinking about changing, but the defeat doesn’t change all of the good work that we’ve done so far.

“We still believe in what we’re doing, we’ve still got great players at this club, and I trust every one of them on Saturday to go out and get us back on winning form.”